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Quads and dirt bikes being used by some to torment communities – Ellis

Sinn Fein Transport spokesperson Dessie Ellis TD has called on the government to support his bill, the Misuse of Motor Vehicles (Public Spaces) Bill 2012, which aims to empower the Gardaí to deal with the misuse of vehicles particularly quad bikes and dirt bikes in public parks and greens.

Deputy Ellis moved the Bill in the Dáil today.

He said;

“This is a very simple Bill which will give the power and the impetus for the Minister for Transport in cooperation with the Minister for Justice to lay down regulations allowing the Gardaí to deal with the problem of the misuse of motorised vehicles in public spaces, namely areas designated as such by Local Authority by laws.

“I have worked with local communities and councils on this issue for a number of years. Many are responsible in their use of these vehicles but in some cases they are used to torment local communities and damage public property.

“This Bill will help Gardaí in cooperation with local communities to deal with the growing problem of the anti-social misuse of ATV's (All Terrain Vehicles). Many public representatives will be aware of the recent growth in popularity of mini-bikes, dirt bikes and quad bikes over the last few years and will have had to deal with the problems arising from their use in residential areas and public spaces such as noise pollution, damages to public and private property as well as in extreme cases endangerment of the public and potentially injuries to both bystanders and those operating the vehicles irresponsibly.

“This Bill is not to criminalise users of these vehicles but only to allow the Gardaí to act when such vehicles are misused in public spaces and on terrains not designated for the use of motor vehicles.

“I am hopeful the government can look beyond the party divide and support this Bill moving forward through the house.”